If you’ve spent any time on Stan Twitter, you know the vibes. People love a good "diva feud." They want to see claws out and microphones dropped. But when it comes to Demi Lovato and Ariana Grande, the reality is actually way more wholesome—and honestly, a bit more complicated—than a simple tabloid headline.
They didn't just meet at a red carpet once and call it a day.
These two have been in the trenches together since 2013. Think about it: they both survived the "child star to pop powerhouse" pipeline, which is basically a pressure cooker for the soul. While everyone was trying to pit the Disney princess against the Nickelodeon darling, they were actually texting each other.
The 2021 Collab That Almost Didn’t Feature Ariana
For years, fans were practically begging for a duet. We got it with "Met Him Last Night" on Demi’s 2021 album, Dancing with the Devil... the Art of Starting Over. But here’s the thing most people forget: Ariana actually wrote that song for Demi to sing solo.
Ariana was in the studio, thinking about Demi's specific journey and the "downfalls of recovery," as Demi put it in a Paper Magazine interview. She wanted to give Demi a masterpiece. It was only after Demi heard it that she basically staged an intervention. She told Ari, "I feel like the world would love to hear us together."
Thank god she did. Their voices together are like velvet and sandpaper in the best way possible. It’s dark, it’s moody, and it tackles the "Devil" as a metaphor for the self-destructive habits that have trailed both of them.
That "I Talk to Her Every Day" Clapback
Social media is a lie. We know this, right?
Back in 2019, fans were getting twitchy because Ariana was posting a lot with Miley Cyrus. People started speculating that Demi had been pushed out of the "inner circle." Grande wasn’t having it. She hopped on Twitter and dropped a line that has since become legendary in the fandom: "I talk to her every day u psycho."
It was a blunt reminder that a friendship doesn't exist just because there’s a selfie on the grid.
The Scooter Braun Era and the Great Split
You can't talk about these two without mentioning the man who, for a long time, held the keys to both their careers. Scooter Braun.
Demi signed with him in 2019, famously saying she wanted a fresh start. Ariana had been with him since Yours Truly in 2013. For a few years, they were "label sisters" and management peers. It felt like a powerhouse alliance.
Then came 2023.
The industry went into a tailspin when news broke—within days of each other—that both Demi and Ariana were parting ways with Braun. Everyone assumed there was some massive blow-up. While the internet was hunting for drama, sources close to the situation kept using the word "amicable."
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Basically, they both grew up. Demi wanted a new direction. Ariana was transitioning into her Wicked era and becoming a business mogul in her own right with R.E.M. Beauty. Sometimes you just outgrow the person who helped you get to the middle.
Why Their Bond Actually Matters in 2026
We’re sitting here in 2026, and the landscape of pop music has shifted. It’s less about the "it girl" and more about longevity.
Demi has been vocal about their sobriety journey and the reality of being a "non-binary" artist in a rigid industry. Ariana has navigated the intense scrutiny of her personal life while filming one of the biggest movie musicals in history. Through all of that, the support hasn't wavered.
Remember when Demi was hospitalized in 2018? Ariana’s mom, Joan Grande, wrote a public letter about how Demi had supported her son Frankie through his own sobriety. That’s not "PR friendship." That’s real-life, "we know your family" level bonding.
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What We Can Learn From Them
- Offline is better: You don't owe the public a play-by-play of your best friendships.
- Professional moves aren't personal: You can leave the same manager without it being a "squad war."
- Collaborate on your own terms: Don't force a song just for the streams; wait for the one that actually tells a story.
If you’re looking to support them right now, the best thing you can do is actually engage with their latest solo projects rather than hunting for "diss tracks" that don't exist. Check out Demi’s most recent live recordings—her vocals are somehow getting stronger—and keep an eye on Ariana’s 2026 tour dates, which she’s hinted will be her most intimate yet.
Stop looking for the rivalry. It’s just not there. Instead, appreciate two of the greatest vocalists of our generation who decided to be sisters instead of competitors.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Listen to the Dave Audé remix of "Met Him Last Night"—it’s a completely different vibe from the album version and was actually Grammy-nominated.
- Follow Demi’s official "Rock Version" updates if you want to hear their older hits with a much heavier, grittier sound.
- If you're tracking Ariana's 2026 tour, make sure to verify dates only through her official site, as "fan-made" schedules are currently cluttering search results.